North Texas (WBAP/KLIF) – The name of a Denton County Sheriff’s Department captain is being used to try to scam people.
Melanie Hartmann, a Tarrant County real estate agent told WFAA-TV that she got a call on her cell phone, by a very professional sounding man identifying himself as Captain Eddie Barrett with Denton County Sheriff’s. The man proceeded to tell her that there was a warrant out for her arrest for failing to show up for jury duty.
Hartmann says she became suspicious after the man asked for money in order to prevent further problems; that, as her husband was able to confirm that the number was a real Denton Sheriff’s Department number. Lucky for Hartmann, no money was exchanged and she alerted the proper authorities.
Meantime, the real Captain Barrett says was “disgusted” to learn that his name had been used more than once. He said scammers can use the Internet and applications to spoof numbers that they cannon track.
He cautioned people to remain skeptical about receiving unexpected calls.
(Copyright 2019 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News. This report contains material from the WFAA-TV)
